LDP regrets Dr M’s ‘wealthy lot’ remark on M’sian Chinese
Published on: Monday, June 29, 2020
Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has expressed regret over former Prime MinisterTun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that the Malaysian Chinese were a “wealthy lot” and that it was “unhealthy” that they lived in urban areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Its Deputy Secretary General David Ong (pic) said the Federation of Malaysia was formed 57 years ago during which the New Economic Policy (NEP) has been implemented for more than 40 years. “Instead of feeling dejected by certain policies that are unfavourable to them, the Chinese community in Malaysia earn their living through their hardworking attitude and proactiveness.”
He said there were success stories across all different ethnic groups in every economic sector.
Hence, Ong said politicians should refrain from making provocative remarks that the Chinese community was threatening the interests of other ethnic groups in order to gain political mileage.
He said the party was fed up with politicians who always played the racial card to fish for votes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr Mahathir has said that Malaysian Chinese were a wealthy lot and have dominated almost all cities
in the country, which was an unhealthy trend.
ADVERTISEMENT
The former premier also stressed the need to rectify the wealth gap between Chinese in urban cities and Bumiputeras living in rural areas.
Ong asked Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders, now the right-hand men of Dr Mahathir, whether they concurred with the latter’s statement.
“DAP could not possibly stay mum over such unfair remark against the Chinese community so as not to ruin their chances of regaining Putrajaya.”
Nevertheless, he said Malaysia was more stable and harmonious compared to other multiracial and multicultural countries.
He said the government should come up with a solution to address the wealth gap between ethnic groups in Malaysia.
“This matter should not be exploited by politicians to sow racial discord.
“The government needs to do more to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas, states and ethnic groups without harming national stability.
“We should strive to seek commonalities among our differences and work together in building our country.”
Meanwhile, the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) said no one should perpetuate such a misleading and discriminating narrative of the Malaysian Chinese.
Its President Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan said such stereotyping could lead to the disruption of unity and harmony among the different races, and could ultimately harm the country.
“Politicians should always be cautious when they speak in public, and refrain from making such an inflammatory remark.
“It may go out of control and incite hatred and animosity against Chinese businesses, and rip the nation apart,” he said in a statement.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
